Chapter 10
Nikki paced around impatiently in the shadows, keeping herself hidden with David as the sun rose in the sky. As long as they were hidden from the cameras, their DHIs were well hidden and they became invisible. It was the only way they could hide from the Overtakers, even in the sunlight.
At this point, Nikki wished there were cast members and guests roaming around. She hated to see an empty park. Especially when they knew that the Overtakers were patrolling the park and she couldn't see them. She was afraid that if they stepped out from the castle, they could get caught.
"We can't stay here forever. They'll eventually come looking here for us. And we have to find the Keepers." David stated as he remained seated on the ground.
"But if we go out there, they'll spot us." Nikki turned to him, folding her arms. "If we could get passed them, we can get out of the Magic Kingdom." She walked over to David, sitting down next to him.
"That clue. Of Mickey's Hat. I think it means they're at Disney's Hollywood Studios." David turned to her as he started to explain in a soft tone. Not wanting the OTs to hear them. "But you were right, they were at Space Mountain before the Overtakers took them elsewhere."
"That scream though." Nikki rubbed her arm, having concern on her face. "I have a bad feeling about it. The Keepers could be in serious trouble. What if they're being tortured?"
"I really hope not. But if they do, the Overtakers will pay for it." David narrowed his eyes. He hated the thought of torture. He remembered the people that captured him, they tortured him in order to test his powers. The worse kind was when they purposely tried to drown him. He shook his head, trying to shake off the thought. He then turned his attention back to Nikki.
"We're going to need a plan to get out of here before the OTs come looking over here." David said as he stared out of the castle into the empty streets. He then noticed across the street, was a young woman with long red, curly hair. He recognized her as the brave warrior girl from the movie, Brave.
"Nikki, look over there." He whispered, tapping her shoulders. Gesturing to the young woman that was making hand gestures that she wanted them to come to her.
"Isn't that Merida?" Nikki raised her eyebrows at the other girl. Was it a cast member? Or was this the real Merida?
"She wants us to come to her?" He said to her.
"Can we trust her?" Nikki asked cautiously.
"If she was an OT, she would of attacked us by now. And besides, she's one of the heroes in the stories. I think it's safe to trust her. Come on." He took Nikki's hand and cautiously walked over to the trash cans where Merida was calling them to.
"Ye the Keepers?" Merida asked softly in her Scottish accent.
"Yes, we are." Nikki nodded as she replied. "Have you come to help us?"
"Absolutely." Merida smiled before cautiously looking around. "We need to talk somewhere else. It's not safe here." She stated in a serious tone, looking around the place a few more times to make sure it was safe to make their move.
"Stay close to me." She whispered before leading them out of Fantasyland. Making sure to keep themselves hidden whenever there was a sighting of a OT and their minions. Merida had her bow and arrow at hand in case she would have to use it to strike at anyone who dared to attack them.
Merida led them into the Heritage House on the edge of Frontierland. It would be a safe place for now so she could explain everything to them.
"Quick, get inside." She whispered as she opened the door for them and pushed them inside. Inside, the room was very dark. Once she closed the doors, Merida switched on the lights, revealing the small shop around them.
"It's alright. We're safe in here. But it won't be for long. So we must talk quickly." Merida said as she walked over to them. Walking them over to a set of tables, then took a seat at one of them.
"Why are you helping us?" Nikki was the first to speak up as she looked over at Merida.
Merida looked at both of them, folding her hands at the table. "I'm part of a group of Disney Characters who will fight to protect anything Disney, and the magic that contains it. We also help the Keepers when they are in trouble."
"Well, I'm afraid they are in trouble, Merida." David stated with a frown.
"I know." Merida frowned as well. "When we heard the news that the Keepers were gone and the Overtakers had taken over this place, we couldn't just stand there and do nothing. We had to fight back. But unfortunately, some of the characters were captured by the Overtakers. Lowering our numbers to defeat the Overtakers."
"Was Buzz one of them?" Nikki asked her.
Merida nodded. "I send him to help you two when you were at Space Mountain. But he disappeared afterwards. I fear that he's been captured too."
"That's terrible." Nikki had a worried look, thinking of how Buzz saved them from the pirates.
"But, not all hope is lost. You two are the last of the Kingdom Keepers. With you two, we'll be able to stop the Overtakers and save Disney World." Merida beamed as she looked over at them.
"We want to do everything we can to save Disney World and the Kingdom Keepers. But the problem is that we're trapped here." David explained to her. "We need to get out and get to the Keepers. We have an idea of where they're being kept."
"Then, it will be our duty to help you both get out of here safely and get you to your location. I have a few people to help you as well." Merida quickly stood up. She released a whistle. A few characters stepped out from the other room.
One of them was Cinderella, wearing her maid outfit. Another was Louis, the crocodile from The Princess and the Frog, and lastly was Chip and Dale. Nikki remembered seeing them on their first night at the Magic Kingdom.
"Hey! I remember you!" Louis exclaimed, pointing to David. "I saw you from the lake, saving Maybeck from the pirates."
"Oh, right. That was me." David nervously smiled, rubbing behind his neck.
"We kept seeing you when you passed by Frontierland." Dale spoke up.
"Yep! Yep! We did!" Chip excited beamed.
"I would always see you two passing through my castle." Cinderella spoke up before frowning. "I was always worried when you were being chased down. But I'm so amazed how you both managed to handle yourselves and care for your fellow Keepers."
"Thank you, Cinderella. That means a lot." Nikki smiled by the characters' words.
Merida clapped her hands together. "Come on, team! We got ourselves a plan." She grinned, walking over to them. "We will cause a distraction for the Overtakers. Louis!" She pointed to him. "It will be your duty to carry out friends safely out of the Magic Kingdom. Allowing you two to escape."
"And then we'll leave the park while we're invisible." Nikki spoke up with a grin.
"But, what happens if the OTs captures you?" David looked at all of them in concern.
"Don't worry about us, kid." Merida patted David's back, ensuring him. "All that matters is that you two are out of harm's way to get to the Keepers. Remember, wherever park you go, there will be more friends of ours that will help you along the way. We are on the same team."
David couldn't help but to smile. "Thank you, all of you. We appreciate everything you're doing. You don't have to risk your lives for us."
"As an old friend of the Keepers once said, If you don't take a chance, you don't have a chance." Cinderella spoke up, gently holding Nikki's hands in encouragement.
"Which friend said that?" Nikki asked Cinderella in confusion.
"I think he's name was Dillard Cole. He was Finn Whitman's friend." She answered.
Nikki's eyes widen. She remembered the school holding a memorial for Dillard Cole when he died a few months ago. She didn't know how he died, but she remembered feeling sad about it. She wished now that she could meet him after hearing how great he was.
"Now, let's hurry and get you both to Main Street." Merida whispered, leading the team carefully out of the Heritage House. Keeping everyone close. Louis stood behind them as a guard dog…well more like guard crocodile. Cinderella held Nikki's hand to comfort her as they followed the team. David allowed Chip and Dale to stand on his shoulders as he followed closely behind Merida. Merida armed herself, having her bow out and arrow in hand as she led the team.
"We just need to cross this bridge and we'll be able to make it to Main Street." Merida whispered as they inched towards the end of the bridge. So far, they were safe out of the OTs sight.
Merida took a few first steps onto the bridge before suddenly stopping as she heard a sound. She cautiously looked around. "Something doesn't seem right." She narrowed her eyes, preparing the arrow close to the bow. Ready to use it.
David took a moment to listen to the sound. There was movement in the water beneath the bridge. He stepped closer to the water. A hand grabbed his shirt, but he managed to pull away.
"Ahhhh! What was that?!" Chip cried out in fear, gripping David's shirt. A few of the pirates climbed out of the water, crawling their way over to the group.
"Quick! Get over to Main Street! I'll try to hold them back as much as I could." Merida use her bow to shoot the arrows at the approaching pirates.
"Don't worry, Meri! We'll help!" Dale spoke up before him and Chip slide off David to reach the pirates. Crawling into their clothings to tickle them. The pirates were laughing uncontrollably to the point they couldn't move. Giving David, Nikki, Louis, and Cinderella a chance to cross the bridge and run towards Main Street.
All four of them halted as they are being blocked by a group of the Country Bears. The bears stared at them with green, eerie eyes.
"More Overtakers!" Nikki inched backwards.
"I'll handle them!" Louis huffed before letting out a growl. Charging towards the bears and tackling them onto the ground. Hitting them with his long tail. "Cindy! Get the kids out of here!"
Cinderella nodded, taking David and Nikki's hands and rushed them passed the bears and down the street. A couple of the bears begin chasing them down towards the entrance. Cinderella looked behind them, having a worried look.
"Both of you go! I'll handle them." Cinderella turned to them as they reached the entrance.
"But Cinderella-"
"Please go! The Keepers need you both." Cinderella wrapped them both into a hug before pushing them towards the entrance. Having them climb up over the cage gate to get outside. "Good luck, my friends." She give them a sad smile before she turned to the bears as they were approaching her.
David and Nikki climbed down the gate, looking over into the park to see Cinderella running away from the bears to lead them away from the gate. Being invisible, the bears couldn't see them.
"We can't just leave them!" Nikki turned to David with a worried look.
"We have no choice. As Cinderella said, the Keepers need us. And besides, I know how strong these characters are. They will be alright." David said, though he felt the same way as Nikki. Not wanting to leave the characters behind. But they had a mission to complete.
"Come on, we have to get to Hollywood Studios." David then begins to run onto the street. Nikki followed behind him. Both of them took a street that could lead them to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The sun was rising behind them as morning was approaching.